Thomas SCHILDKNECHT

Astronomical Institute, University of Bern • Professor Emeritus

Prof Dr Thomas Schildknecht, former director of the Swiss Optical Ground Station and Geodynamics Observatory Zimmerwald, currently leads the Optical Astronomy Group at the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern, Switzerland. His research spans astrodynamics and optical survey observations, with a strong focus on space debris, space safety, and sustainability. With over 30 years of experience in space debris research he has built and led a research team recognized internationally for excellence in optical surveillance and characterization of space debris. At both national and global level, he has served and continues to serve on numerous technical and policy-making committees.

Among them for many years as a member of the ESA delegation in the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee IADC, where he participated in the negotiations of the IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines. He is currently the Chair of the ESA Space Safety Advisory Group advising the ESA Director responsible for the space safety programme.

Since 2010, Thomas Schildknecht has been a member of the Swiss delegation to COPUOS where he has substantially contributed to the work of the Working-group on long-term sustainability of outer space activities of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of COPUOS and to the successful adoption of the 21 guidelines in 2019.

Prof. Dr Thomas Schildknecht is a full member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), the President of the Swiss National Committee of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and former member of the American Astronautical Society (AAS) Space Surveillance Committee. He also serves on the boards of diverse international associations. At national level, he is member of several national associations and committees, including the Swiss Commission for Astronomy and the Swiss Committee on Space Research of the Swiss Academy of Sciences. Moreover, he is a member of the Federal Commission for Space Affairs, which is advising the Federal Council, the Executive of the Swiss government

Events

International Astronautical Congress 2025

29 September - 3 October 2025

Sydney, Australia

Participation: